Kitchen Permitting Resources
A curated directory of authoritative agencies and links for food business operators using Bridge's commercial kitchen in Richmond, California (Contra Costa County). Find out where and how to obtain each item on your onboarding checklist.
Important — please read before using this directory
This is a starting-point directory, not legal or permitting advice. Requirements and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with each agency. Bridge is located in Contra Costa County; permits are jurisdiction-specific and do not transfer between counties.
Who needs what?
Ongoing food business
If you use Bridge regularly — caterers, packaged-food producers, recurring pop-ups, meal-prep services — you need a Contra Costa County Environmental Health food facility permit, a City of Richmond business license, and general liability insurance naming Bridge as additional insured. Each operator needs a food handler card; multi-person operations need at least one food safety manager certification. See Permits and Food Safety below.
Single-event or pop-up vendor
For a one-time or occasional event — a private dinner, a tasting, a cooking class — you may qualify for a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit from Contra Costa Environmental Health rather than a full facility permit. TFF permits are event-specific; eligibility rules limit events per year and food types. Bridge staff will walk you through whether a TFF or full permit is the right path during your tour. Note: permits do not transfer between counties.
Permits & Licenses
Mirrors onboarding category: permits
Contra Costa Environmental Health — Food Facility Permit
The core permit for operating a food business in Contra Costa County. Required before you can use Bridge commercially.
- CC Environmental Health — Food Programs — Permit types and fee schedules
- Apply for or renew a food facility permit — Applications and plan check
- Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permits — Single-event and pop-up operators
Phone: (925) 692-2500 · 2120 Diamond Blvd, Suite 200, Concord, CA 94520
CDTFA — Seller's Permit (taxable food products)
Required if you sell packaged food or beverages subject to California sales tax. Free to register.
- CDTFA — Permits & Licenses — Register for a seller's permit
- CDTFA — Food & Beverage Industry Guide — What's taxable vs. exempt
CDPH Food and Drug Branch — Processed Food Registration
Producers of manufactured or processed food intended for wholesale or retail sale (other than dairy) must register with CDPH's Food and Drug Branch (FDB) in addition to county permits.
- CDPH FDB — Manufactured Food Registration — Registration for processed / manufactured food facilities
- CDPH Food and Drug Branch — Food Safety — Overview of all FDB food programs
Food Safety
Mirrors onboarding category: food_safety
California Food Handler Card
All food handlers in California must obtain a card within 30 days of hire. Obtained through ANSI-accredited online providers; valid 3 years.
- ServSafe Food Handler course — ANSI-accredited online (~$15, ~1–2 hours)
- StateFoodSafety — California Food Handler — ANSI-accredited alternative
Food Safety Manager Certification
CA Health & Safety Code §113947.1 requires applicable food facilities to have at least one certified food protection manager as an owner or employee. The certified manager need not be present during all hours of operation. Proctored exam; valid 5 years.
- ServSafe Manager Certification — Study materials and exam (ANSI-CFP accredited)
- NRFSP — National Registry of Food Safety Professionals — Alternative ANSI-accredited certification exam
- CA HSC §113947.1 — Authoritative statute
CA Dept. of Public Health — Retail Food Safety Program
- CDPH — Retail Food Safety Program — Statewide food safety resources and CalCode guidance
Insurance
Mirrors onboarding category: insurance
General Liability Insurance — Bridge as Additional Insured
Bridge requires commercial general liability insurance with Bridge Storage Arts & Events listed as an additional insured. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) must be provided before your first booking.
- The Hartford — Food Business Insurance — Catering and food business policies
- Hiscox — Food & Beverage Business Insurance — Online quotes for small food businesses
- Insureon — Food Business Insurance Marketplace — Compare multiple carriers
- NEXT Insurance — Food & Beverage — Online COI and digital additional insured certificates
Bridge does not endorse any specific insurer. Confirm the policy covers commercial kitchen rental / shared kitchen use and includes product liability if you sell food.
Business License
City of Richmond Business License
Bridge is at 23 Maine Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804. Any business operating from or within Richmond must hold a current business license, renewed annually.
- City of Richmond — Business License — How to apply, renew, fee schedules
- City of Richmond — Online Business License Renewal — Renew an existing license online
Finance Department: (510) 620-6740 · 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804
Naming / DBA
Contra Costa County — Fictitious Business Name (DBA)
If you operate under a business name other than your legal name, file a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement with Contra Costa County and publish it in a local newspaper.
- Contra Costa Clerk — Fictitious Business Name Filings — How to file, renew, and publish your DBA
State of California
CA Secretary of State — Business Entity Registration
LLCs, corporations, and other formal entities must register with the CA Secretary of State before conducting business in California.
- CA SOS — Business Entities — Register your entity in California
- BizFileOnline — CA SOS Online Filing Portal — File formation documents online
Cottage Food and MEHKO Programs (home kitchen exemptions)
CA's cottage food (AB 1616) and MEHKO (AB 626) programs are exemptions for residential kitchens. They do not apply at a commercial shared kitchen like Bridge — included for context only.
- CDPH — Cottage Food Operations — AB 1616 rules and eligible products
- CDPH — Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) — AB 626 county-permitted home kitchen rules
Regulations — California Retail Food Code (CalCode)
Health & Safety Code §113700–114437
CalCode is the primary California statute governing retail food facilities including commercial shared kitchens. CC Environmental Health enforces CalCode locally and may adopt stricter local rules.
- CA Legislature — Health & Safety Code, Part 7 (Retail Food) — Full text of CalCode §113700–114437
- CalCode §113947.1 — Certified food protection manager requirement — Authoritative statute
Ready to use the kitchen?
Start with a tour. Bridge staff will walk you through which permits apply to your operation, review insurance requirements, and show you how member booking works.
Request a Kitchen TourBridge staff responds within 1 business day. No commitment required.
About this directory
Companion to the kitchen onboarding checklist. The onboarding application (GET /public/onboarding/kitchen/requirements/) is the system of record for what is required and verified. Section anchors #permits, #food_safety, #insurance are stable deep-link targets for the onboarding UI.